Nonclassical symmetries of a class of nonlinear partial differential equations with arbitrary order and compatibility (Q2569899)

\textit{D. J. Arrigo} and \textit{J. R. Beckham} [J. Math. Anal. Appl. 289, 55--65 (2004; Zbl 1037.35066)] have shown that the determining equations for the nonclassical method can be derived as a consequence of the compatibility for evolutionary partial differential equations. Here the authors show that for a class of nonlinear PDE of arbitrary order instead of the nonlinear evolution equations the determining equations for the nonclassical symmetries can also be derived by the compatibility between the original equation and the invariant surface condition. As applications of this method the nonlinear wave equation and the Boussinesq equation are considered.